Use of surface-modified nanoparticles for oil recovery
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJimmie R. Baran, Jr., Oswaldo J. Cabrera
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Abstract
The present invention provides the use of surface-modified nanoparticles in fluids used to recover hydrocarbon from underground formations. The use of surface-modified nanoparticles in such fluids provides foams that are stable under pressure yet have a shorter foam lifetime than typical surfactant-stabilized foams after the pressure is released or lowered.
Claims47
A method of recovering hydrocarbon from a permeable formation comprising the steps of:
- injecting a fluid under pressure into the permeable formation through one or more injection wells;
- and
- recovering the hydrocarbons through one or more production wells, wherein the fluid foams while under pressure and said foam substantially breaks when the pressure is relieved, the fluid comprising a foam composition comprising solvent, un-agglomerated surface-modified silica nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles surface modified with organic acid, organic base, and combinations thereof, and a foaming agent.
A method of removing debris from a well using a drilling fluid comprising the steps of:
- injecting under pressure a foamed drilling fluid into the well;
- contacting the debris with the foamed drilling fluid;
- and
- directing the debris and foamed drilling fluid out of the well, wherein the drilling fluid comprises a foam composition comprising solvent, foaming agent, un-agglomerated and surface-modified silica nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles surface modified with organic acid, organic base, and combinations thereof, disposed in said solvent.
A method for controlling the mobility of a fluid in a hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprising the step of:
- incorporating a foam into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation in association with a fluid to control the mobility of said fluid, wherein said foam is formed from a foam composition comprising foaming agent, solvent, and un-agglomerated surface-modified silica nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles surface modified with organic acid, organic base, and combinations thereof, disposed in said solvent.
A hydrocarbon formation comprising:
- a hydrocarbon formation containing hydrocarbon and a foam composition, wherein the foam composition comprises foaming agent, solvent, and un-agglomerated surface-modified silica nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles surface modified with organic acid. organic base, and combinations thereof, disposed in said solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.